AFTER more than two decades travelling the world in the fast lane, Welsh rally star Phil Mills insists there is no place like home.

And he is bracing himself for a homecoming to remember as the World Rally Championship edges towards a title showdown in Wales in November.

Mills, from Llanidloes, Mid Wales, has perhaps the most exciting but frightening job in world sport - co-driver for world rally title contender Petter Solberg.

The Subaru pair are second in the world championship, with four rounds to go, after victories in Cyprus and last week in Australia put Mills within touching distance of making a dream come true.

"Things have been going really well this season, especially with two victories under our belts and it looks like everything is going to come down to the Rally of Wales to decide the championship," said Mills.

"To be a Welshman driving on home soil is always a proud moment, but the possibility of competing for the world title makes it even more special.

"However, there is always great Welsh support wherever I go, even in Kenya! The Welsh seem to get everywhere and there are always flags dotted around the different stages, especially in Australia.

"But even I was shocked to see them by the side of the route in Kenya.

"It's a great feeling to see that and even though we are travelling too fast to see anyone, it makes a big difference knowing that support is there."

Quiet-man Mills, 40, has sat beside some the biggest names in rallying after starting out in the sport more than 20 years ago.

He quickly proved his talents by clinching the Wales Road Rally Championship in 1984. In 1990 Mills took a step up to the British Championship and in 1992 and 1993 navigated Brian Bell to back-to-back Welsh National Championship crowns.

He was team co-ordinator for Malcolm Wilson when he won the British Championship in 1994 and navigated Mark Higgins to the same title three years later.

Mills finally got his step up to world rallying with Ford in 1999 but has spent the last three years with Subaru sat beside Norwegian Solberg, widely considered to be the fastest in the business.

"Being in the car next to Petter is three days of pure adrenaline," said Mills.

"Cars are getting faster because of the technology but Petter is a REALLY fast driver. Even in the forest stages he's hitting 130mph. You really have to be alert because at that speed things are happening very quickly."

It's no wonder then that after earning a living at those speeds, Mills should enjoy the quiet life when not competing.

"For me a holiday is simply spending time in Newtown with my wife and daughter," he said. "It's a great life from the travelling point of view but it is also very tough going. The championship goes to 14 different countries so there's a lot of time spent waiting at airports and unfortunately I don't get a lot of time at home.

"What people see on race day is the tip of the iceberg as the work behind the scenes is tenfold that of race day.

"It means you don't get a lot of time to yourself but whenever I get the chance I usually escape by cycling. It's relaxing and a way of keeping fit."